Oilfield application for biocides

Biocides are used in oilfields for primarily two reasons to preserve water-based fluids that are used in various oilfield operations, and to control biofouling. The fluids that are used in oilfield operations are varied in composition and properties, but require the use of a biocide to prevent the degradation of important components of the fluids. Biofouling control, in this case, refers to controlling the growth or proliferation of microbes that can potentially be harmful to the operation of the oilfield, or to the value of the hydrocarbon product that is produced. Both applications for biocides have in common the goal to limit or control the introduction of bacteria into the oil-bearing formation. 

The other major application for biocides in the oilfield is in biofouling control. This can be defined as the use of a biocide to kill microorganisms that are present in the water that is either injected into an oilfield, or the water that is produced from the oilfield. The reason that biocides are used is to kill the microorganisms before they have the opportunity to attach to the metal surfaces and form biofilms. Considerations on the use of biocides in the injection and production systems are discussed below. 

General information. Glutaraldehyde is a 5-carbon dialdehyde that has seen extensive use in industrial water treatment applications. In addition to its use as a biocide in oil and gas operations, it is also used in cooling water, paper making, and preservative applications, medical instrument sterilization, and as a non-biocidal crosslinker for leather. X-ray films, and enzyme immobilization. It is often used in oilfield applications in combination with other non-oxidizing biocides such as QAC s and formaldehyde and is compatible with the oxidizing biocides typically used in cooling water applications. 

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